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Uriah Hall Expects Robert Whittaker to Drop Out of UFC 243, Wants to Fight Israel Adesanya

Uriah Hall is scheduled to fight Antonio Carlos Jr. this Saturday at UFC Vancouver, but after that, the vaunted striker’s hoping to lock up a bout with Israel Adesanya.

The interim middleweight champ Adesanya is booked to fight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 243, which will take place on October 5th in Melbourne, Australia. In advance of his fight this Saturday with Carlos Jr., however, Hall recently said this about Adesanya (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“It’s not even to say, ‘Screw you, man,’” – I think Israel is definitely one of the best,” Hall said. “He paid his dues, he got there really quick, he got there really amicably – there’s nothing bad to say about the kid. He’s a stud.

“I’m just excited because I feel like it’s an anime thing going on between us. I’m Dragon Ball Z, he’s Naruto. So we’ve got to have that classic matchup…”

Hall (14-9) is coming off a knockout win over Bevon Lewis at UFC 232 in December. Carlos Jr. (11-3) lost via decision to Ian Heinisch in his last fight, which took place in May.